“Blue Amber” appears in Birdy #116, August 2023, a sequel to “Filthy Animals” and “The Writhing.” Gedim and Joira continue their adventures on the planet Talend, and navigate their increasingly tricky relationship in the face of an alien symbiote.
What are they?
Not one thing. Lots of things.
Giant arachnids … slugs … those cyborg centaur creatures … what’s the common factor?
The common factor is that they’re all trapped in the fibers of the tunnel walls. Like the root system that entangled us. The symbiote. I’m starting to think this whole planet is alive.
It is alive. That’s what I keep trying to tell you. I think all these are alive too.
Suspended animation?
Something like. But their consciousnesses interwoven, blended.
Absorbed. Consumed.
You always take the darkest view.
What’s the bright side of being swallowed by a living planet?
Godlike consciousness?
If that’s the cost, no thank you.
THE FELL AND THE FAE 